Pneumatic valve-operating mechanism for hydraulic elevators



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet I.

W. DE BROCK. v PNEUMATIG VALVE OPERATING MEGHANISM FOR HYDRAULIC ELBVATQRS.

[finan @Mr relif/* Patented- Aug. 9, 1887.

N. Parana mbmnognmr. wamingm nc.

(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2. W. DE BROCK. PNEUMATIC VALVE O PERAT'ING MEGHANISM FOR HYDRAULIC BLEVA'IORS.

No. 367,794, Patented Aug. 9, 1,887.

(No Muriel.) y s sheets-sheet 3.

W. DE BROCK. PNBUMATIUVALVB OPERATING MBCHNISM POR HYDRAULIC ELEVATORS.. N0. 367,794. Patented Aug. 9, 1887.

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N. PETERS. PhnbLihugraphtv. wathingmn. DLC.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAMA DE BROCK, on MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

PNEUMATIC VALVE-OPERATING MECHANISM FOR HYDRAULIC ELEVATORS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 367,794, dated August 9. 1887.

Application tiled November 23, 1886. Serial No. 219,555. (No model.)

.form a part of this specification.

Figure l represents an elevator in section, and a side view of the ordinary hydraulic mechanism for operating the same, provided 'with my pneumatic-valve-operating device.

Fig. 2 represents a vertical section 'of the valve-cylinder and water-'controlling valves shown in Fig. 1 in connection with the valveoperating device. Fig. 3 represents a vertical section, and Fig.V 4 a side view, of an aircoclrby which the course of the'air is controlled between the air-reservoi r and thevalveoperating mechanism. Fig. 5 represents a side view of the air-pipes in `connection with air-cocks located at the respective floors ofthe building.

Like parts are represented by the same reference-letters through the several views.-

The elevator A, hydraulicengine or motor B, and the water-controlling mechanism, consisting of the valve-chamber C, with inletdnct c, outlet-duct b, exhaust-duet g, and sliding valves or pistons @,d, and c, are all formed in the ordinary way, and form no part of my present invention. 4

f Heretofore the water-controlling valves c, d, and e have been governed by moving a cable suspended through the elevator, such cable being drawn downward to start the elevator in one direction and upward to reverse the movement of the elevator. By my improvement such valve-controlling cable isdispensed with, and the said water-controlling valves are entirely controlled by compressed air. To the protruding ends of the valve-rotfl) are connected-a piston-'rodl), and a piston, E, operating in an air-tight cylinder, F.

The piston E is forced downward by admitting compressed air above it through the airduct G, whereby the water-controlling valves c, d, and e are also moved downward in the cylinder C, thus opening communication from the inlet-pipe @through the cylinder C and thence through the duct b. The movement of the water-controlling valves is reversed by admitting the condensed air through the airtube H, whereby the pist-on E with the consprings a a', whereby water is both excluded from the motor Band prevented from escaping, thereby causing the motor and elevator to remain at rest.

The compressed air used for controlling the movement ofthe valves is confined in an air-- reservoir, J, and it is controlled in its course therefrom to and exhausted from the respecti've sides of said piston by the airlcontrolling dock K. The air is conducted from the air- 1 reservoir J to said air-cock K through the airtuhe L, and from thence to the respective sides of the piston, as stated, through the air-pi pes G and H.

Vhen desirous to raise the elevator, the

handle M of the aircocl; is thrown toward the left, in the position shown by dotted lines at M', Fig. 3, whereby communication is opened between the inlet air-pipe L and the outlet ain pipe G through the air-duct O, which duct is by such movement of the handle brought into the position indicated by dotted lines at O. The air thus admitted to the pipe G enters the cylinder F above the piston E, thus forcing said piston downward, as mentioned,wherebyI ICO site side through the salue pipe through which it entered, when it passes into said faucet through one of the air-ducts l) I and escapes therefrom through the central duet, S. It is obvious that the same movement of the handle of the aircoek which opens communication between the air-pipe Land one of said outletpipcs 1I or G also opens communication from the opposite outlet airpipe with the central air duet, S, through one of said airducts l); also, that when the handle M is thrown into the vertical position shown in Fig. 3, the inlet air` pipe L is thereby closed,and both of said outlet;pipes G and Havre brought into eonimunication with said ruitlet-duct S through the twin air-duets R l?, thereby relieving the cylinder F, both above and below the piston ll, of conipressed air when said piston is thrown to the center of the eylinder F by the action of said springs 1:.' u', as heretofore mentioned. The springs a a are not necessarily located in said cylinder F, as they may be coiniected with the valve or pistoirrod outside thereof; or, ifdesired, the `gravity of weights may bc substituted for the action of the springs for thus controlling the piston. in controlling` the valve-operating mechanism, as described, hy the operator in the elevator7 said air-oook is located in the elevator and Connected with said \f'alveoperating mechanism by flexible tubes G, H, and L. \Vhcu, however, it is desirous to control the elevator from the Several loors of a building, (as is usually the ease with freiglit-elevators,) the said air-pipes G, Il, and 'L arc in likefmanncr connected with said air-Cooks K at such places.

The air-reservoir .l may be charged with compressed air by any ordinary forni of aircomp ressor; but, to insure a constant supply of air at the required pressure, l preferably use an automatic hydraulic air- Compressor, as

For convenicnee shown at A', which will continue to work until the desired air-pressure obtained, and when such pressure is obtained it will stop of itself Without the attention of an operator,'and resume its work again automatically as soon as the air-pressure is diminished.

Havingthus described my invention, I do not confine or limit myself to the use of the same with the valve controlling mechanism shown, as it may be used equally well with any other forni.

`\Vhat1' claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

i 1. in a pneumatic-valveoperating device p for hydraulic elevators, the combination of the air-oook K, provided with inletpipe L, communicating between said coek and an airchamber,air-pipes G and ll,communieatinebetween said cock, and the valve controllingmechanism duct 0, adapted to communicate between said pipe L, and either of said pipes G or ll', duets l l It t, and exhaust-duct S, said ducts l l and lt AIt being adapted by rotating,T the stopper of said cock to open comA munication between pipes G and H, through said cxhaustduet S, with the exterior air-pipe, L, ai r-receiver J, pipes G and II, and the val vecontrolling mechanism, substzuitially as for the purpose specified.

2. The combination of the air controlling eoek l, provided with air-ducts O, l P, t lt, and H, ,air-receiver .T, connecting ainducts G, l[, and L, cylinder F, piston E, piston or connecting rod l), and spiral springs fr' (1,', substantially as and for thel purpose set forth.

ln testimony whereof l affix mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

TILLlAM DE BROCK.

\Vitnesses:

Jas. l2. EnwIN, G. '.l. hcNume'r. 

